Any Time of Life, It's Good To Be Alive!

Elf Pants and Money Holders.........And A Very Merry Christmas!

When I saw these little felt Elf Pants in a catalog, I knew I had to get them for our 8 nephews for Christmas.......they just crack me up!  We always give them money for Christmas because they range in age from 9 to 23.  It's just easier for me not to invent the wheel every year.  And with two daughters buying boy stuff is just a little difficult for me.

I made the money holders in one night with my Cuttlebug and large label dies, and some foam tape to elevate the label so that the money could be slipped in behind it.  Easy!!

 
 
Project Recipe:

Christmas patterned paper by American Crafts
Die-Cut Journaling Stickers from FaLaLa collection by Making Memories
Epoxy Stickers from Art Warehouse by Creative Imaginations
Happy Holidays Rub-Ons from Mistletoe collection by Making Memories
Label One Nestabilities dies
Blush Red Dark Prismatics cardstock

My life is about to get crazier on Friday.......both daughters and their significant others are flying in for a week of celebrating and I CAN'T WAIT!!!!!  So, I know I won't be back until the new year and wanted to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a great New Year!  Thanks so much for continuing to stop by!
 
  

Happy and Merry Gift Card Holders!

I try to come up with something cute to send my college daughter and her roommate at Christmas time.  This year they got fluffy feather lights, some fun socks and gift cards for their favorite bagel place on campus.  I wanted to give the gift cards in something other than the boring envelopes they come in, so before I mailed the box full of gifts I whipped up these little holders......which will also hang on their little Christmas tree in their apartment.  The photo is a bit bright, but you get the idea.  And.....oops....no stamping on these.

 

Project Recipe:

Cosmo Cricket Jolly by Golly Mini Deck and Ready Set Chipboard
Basic Grey Eskimo Kisses Alphabet Stickers and Blue Doilies
Light pink ribbon

What? It's Spring In December.....New DT Projects!!

When you submit things for publication, you work about six months ahead.....so that's why it is "spring" right now when there are actually a couple inches of snow on the ground here in Minnesota!  Definitely wishful thinking on my part.

Our DT challenge for November from The Stamping Studio was to use transparencies.  Challenge is the optimal word in that sentence!!  Wow, I made a lot of mistakes trying to come up with just three projects that didn't look like a 4-year-old did them (not that there is anything wrong with what 4-year-olds create under the appropriate condition). 

I used a combination of clear transparencies and thicker acetate to make these little beauties.

Project 1 is a spring tag made from thick acetate:

 
 

Project 2 is a shaker card.........it's been a long time since I made one of these!!

 
 

Project 3 I used a flower that was made from a transparency:

 

 
Project Recipe:
Birthday Rory and Spring Rory stamp sets by The Stamping Studio
Cotton White Opaque solvent ink pad by StazOn
Tuxedo Black Memento dye ink pad
Lullaby, Peek-a-boo, Sleep Tight, Splish Splash and This Little Piggy
  patterned paper from the Ducks In A Row collection by
October Afternoon
Desert Coral Medium, Razzleberry Light, and Sunflowers Medium
Prismatics cardstock
Coconut Smoothie cardstock by Bazzill
Clover Dot and Ocean Dot cardstock by Bo Bunny
Classic Scalloped Circles-Large and Standard Circles-Large
Nestabilities dies
3/8-inch double sided pink satin ribbon by American Crafts
Pink button and jewel from Alissa Collection by Bo Bunny
Clear Rhinestones by Queen & Co.
Taffy Smooch Ink by Clearsnap
Clouds Paper Edgers decorative scissors by Fiskars
Inkssentials White Opaque Pen by Ranger
Limepeel, Warm Grey 10%, and Warm Grey 20% Prismacolor pencils
White embroidery floss by DMC
Other:  Pink and yellow seed beads
Acetate sheets 
  Transparency sheets
Book page from old book
Foam tape
Foam dots

I will be back soon with some actual Christmas-y stuff.  Now off to finish setting up my collection of blue-colored Santas (or....Santas wearing blue clothing)!!

Early Release of Flower of The Month 12!!

To give people time to make things for the holidays, Melissa from The Stamping Studio is releasing the Flower of the Month stamp set for December early!!  That means I get to post my projects using the awesome FOTM12 - Poinsettia set a few weeks early, too.

There are two cards and an altered tin in my group of December projects.  Basically, I used an empty Maya Road tin that was the home for something else before I slapped some patterned paper and stamped poinsettias on it.  I did paper piecing with the images (stamping on patterned paper, then cutting out the images and assembling them) which is one of my favorite things to do with all of these FOTM images.

 

 
 
 
 
 

Project Recipe:

FOTM12 – Poinsettia stamp set from the Flower Of The Month series by The Stamping Studio

Van Dyke Brown ink from Nick Bantock by Ranger

Merry & Bright, Mitten Mitten, Wrapping Paper, and Yuletide patterned paper from the Oh Joy collection by Cosmo Cricket

Gingerbread patterned paper from the Good Cheer collection by October Afternoon

Straw Hat matte finish mini brads by Lasting Impressions

Clouds Paper Edgers decorative scissors by Fiskars

Cream Pom Pom Trim by Maya Road

¼ inch light yellow grosgrain ribbon by American Crafts

Other:  Red, green and ivory cardstock

    Empty metal tin 
  

Gift Giving 2009

I make one of these little books every year and each year they are different.  I have only remembered to take photos of them for the past couple of years.....duh!  This is the 2009 version of my Christmas gift register, where I record what I have bought for everyone and can mark things off when I wrap them.  It keeps me organized, and keeps me sane during an insane time of the year.

I used the Mistletoe collection by Making Memories this year, and because they had such a wide variety of fun embellishments, I could use a lot of different things to decorate it.  There is one stamp I used.....the Gifts Checklist stamp by Teresa Collins on the cover.  I also dug out my Dymo label maker to label all of the tabbed pages with each person's name or group of names.

Card Recipe:

5 x 7 inch Tabbed Grungebook from Tim Holtz Idea-ology by Advantus (2 covers
and 11 pages)

Patterned paper (Advent, Advent b-side, Argyle, Big Green Dot, Big Green Dot b-

    side, Cardinal, Cardinal b-side, Flocked Snowflake, Foil Stripe, Glitter Big Red

     Dot, Glitter Music Note, Holly Leaf Foil, Mistletoe, Pattern Stripe b-side,

     Trees) from the Mistletoe Collection by Making Memories

Brad Combo, Button Flower Stickers, Chipboard Buttons, Deco Pins, Glitter

     Alpha Stickers, Glitter Foam Trees, Glitter Foil Epoxy Alpha, Glitter Leaves,

     Poinsettia Blossoms, Trims & Treats, and Word Fetti from the Mistletoe

    Collection by Making Memories

Spirit Lime Notebook Paper from Creative Café by Creative Imaginations

Cream Line Scalloped Paper from Narratives Antique Cream Collection by

    Creative Imaginations

Apple Barrel Antique White Craft Paint by Plaid

Banana Paper notebook paper by EcoPapers

Dymo Label Maker

Gift Checklist rubber stamp from ‘tis the season collection by Teresa Collins

Tuxedo Black Memento ink pad by Tsukineko

Other:  Gold jewelry jump rings

    Plastic clear jewels

    Number rub-ons (unknown)

    Two black 1-1/2 inch metal rings

 
 
  

Prize Update.....and The End Of An Era For Some Friends!

I've been a little down and out the past week or so, so I haven't been able to send out the prizes from the Breast Cancer Blog Giveaway from October.  The good news is that everything will be mailed out on Saturday morning!!  Sorry it has taken so long......it is frustrating when you don't feel well and don't feel like doing anything.  Hopefully, I can get caught up on everything (not just mailings.....we're talking clean underwear here!)

I received the news today that one of my favorite online stores will be closing.  I have shopped at Lifetime Moments for the past seven years (it was the first store I ever ordered patterned paper from!), and always looked and shopped there first......the owner and staff are some of the nicest peeps on the internet!  Because they need to liquidate their inventory, everything is 25% off right now.  There are good deals to be had!  So go to Lifetime Moments and use the code 25-011 when you check out to receive your discount.  Hurry before it's all gone!

Will be back soon to post some photos!

It's Time To Reveal The November Flower of The Month Stamp Set!

It's time again for the monthly release from The Stamping Studio of the Flower Of The Month stamp set!  The November set is.......Tulip!  I did three cards for this month's release, using some fun papers.

 
 
 
 
 

Card Recipe:
Flower of The Month 11 - Tulip stamp set by The Stamping Studio
Pitch Black Adirondack ink pad by Ranger
Copic Markers
"Bloom" Line of patterned paper (Bijou Birds Brown, Bohemian Vines, Candy Stripes b-side,
    Polka Dot Punch, and Vines) from the Bloom & Grow collection by My Mind's Eye
Black, Intense Pink, Intense Teal and Intense Yellow Prismatics cardstock by Prism Papers
7/8 inch black and white gingham ribbon
Effervescence border punch by Fiskars
#310 black embroidery floss by DMC
Swiss Dots Cuttlebug embossing folder by Provo Craft
Classic Oval and Scalloped Oval Nestabilities dies by Spellbinders
Other:  Small teal, yellow, green, aqua and pink buttons
    Large 1-inch yellow button
    Small gold safety pin
    Smooth white cardstock


 
  

Ribbon Riley.......and The Winner!

I bought the cutest stamp this month and it seemed appropriate to end Breast Cancer Awareness month with a pink card.

 

Card Recipe:
Ribbon Riley stamp by Hanna Stamps

Awareness Ribbon stamp set by The Stamping Studio

Rich Cocoa Memento ink pad by Tsukineko

Prismacolor Prenier Colored Pencils (Chestnut, Hot Pink, Pink Rose, and Warm Grey 30%)

 by Sanford

6 x 6 inch solid and patterned paper pad (Blushing Pink, Hand Dipped, Lipstick Red,

 Meltaway, Mousse, Praline and Raspberry Cream) from Bittersweet Collection by

 Basic Grey

3/4 inch Baby Pink Ribbon by Pebbles Inc.

Raspberry Candy Dots by Pebbles Inc.

Pure Brown pigment ink marker by Zig Memory System

3D-Dots adhesive foam discs by EK Success

Corner Punch by EK Success

Other:  White cardstock

 Small pink jewels
 
I just did a quick coloring job, used one of my favorite paper collections and ta-da!  You can find Ribbon Riley at Hanna Stamps.  While you are there, check out all of the Riley stamps......he is a cutie patootie!

Well, it seems unkind to prolong announcing the winner of the Blog Giveaway......besides, I am a bit excited, too!  Random Number Generator picked:

DANNETTE with comment #80!!!!!!

Dannette said:

Hello there Wendy! Hope you had a great weekend. It's starting to get cold here in calif. and I so love it! Hope all is well and I will see you tomorrow! Hugs, Dannette

Reply | Edit | View | Oct 18, 2009 on Poof!

 

CONGRATS, DANNETTE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I guess your dedication to posting really paid off! HA  Anyway, I hope you enjoy all of your prizes!

 

Also, I am really amazed at how many of you came to frequently post to enter the Blog Giveaway so I am taking the top five posters (minus Dannette, of course) and sending you a little something.  Kim Marie, Shell, Denise Wells, Roxanne Stevens and Cindy should be watching their mailboxes for a small package from me.  I just enjoy spreading the love around!! (Denise and Roxanne, I need your addresses.  Could you email me at wcsebesta@ gmail.com- don't leave a space in there, though.....just mush it all together).

 

Last of all, thank you so so so so so much for helping to raise awareness for breast cancer.  It is an amazing thing you did by posting on your own blogs and shopping pink all month.  Don't stop buying things from companies that are dedicated to the cause!!  I will miss coming on here and reading your daily posts, and hope you keep stopping by to say "hello"!!

 

 

 

Thanks, Kim Marie......A Small Pink Link......And Only A Few Hours Left!!

Thank you to my sweet friend, Kim Marie, for the great card I received in the mail yesterday!  Thought I would share it with everyone.

 

Thanks, too, for the sweet things you wrote in the card.  Your message even got a "wow, that was really nice" from my husband. :)

We have blinking eyes that we put in all of our front windows on Halloween night, and we needed to get AA batteries for them at Target last night.  Energizer has specially marked packs of 16 PINK batteries that are pretty cute.  Energizer is also donating $400,000 to the Susan G. Komen Foundation, too!!! 

Okay, ladies, ONLY A FEW HOURS LEFT TO POST A COMMENT TODAY!  In 8 hours, the gigunda Blog Giveaway will be closed and it will be left up to the Random Number Thingie to decide who will be the winner.  I'll be back tomorrow morning to post the name......good luck!!

Eat, Drink and Be Scary!

I've been a bad blog poster again.....too much going on right now.  I did want to post a photo of the cute little Potion Bottles I decorated to send to my two daughters, their boyfriends and my daughter's roommate.  The plastic bottles were purchased at the Taylored Expressions website, decorated with stamped labels from the Taylored Expressions Punchy Potions stamp set, and filled with Halloween M&Ms.  It was a super quick way to dress up some plain M&Ms.  I made some cute Halloween tags for their treat bags, but totally forgot to take a photo! C'est la vie!

Also, thanks to everyone who is sharing their own Pink stories and product finds.....I love it!!
Here's a quick link for some Breast Cancer Awareness Products at Crafter's Market.  Go check out all the fun pink stuff! 
 
   

Weekend Pink Links!

It is amazing what a variety of Breast Cancer Awareness products are out there right now!  I receive emails every week with new things, and I hope you are excited to see what a variety of things you can purchase to support BC research and treatment.  Here are some additional Pink Links for you:

This is kind of an interesting one!  Purchase an American Airlines gift card through the end of 2009 and for every $50 you purchase, they will donate $5 to the Susan G. Komen Foundation!!  Check out the details on the American Airlines website.

Lisa Leonard Designs has a pretty Hope Necklace, and will donate 10% of the proceeds to the National Breast Cancer Foundation!!  You seriously need to check out the rest of her handmade jewelry, too.

Sephora online has an entire page of Beauty With A Cause products, and each participating brand is donating money.  Sephora is seriously one of my fav places to shop, and see that Versace Bright Crystal Perfume set on the page?  That is the perfume I wear every day......and I already scored one of those sets with the Breast Cancer Awareness charms on the bottle of perfume! 

50 cents from the sale of each Xyron Pink Create A Sticker Maker will go to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.  It's so cute......and it's pink!!!  

That's all I've got for now!

Reminder, there is only one week left to post comments once a day to enter my Blog Giveaway! :)  

Drum Roll, Please!

The winner of the cute House Mouse Halloween stamps for the Quickfire Challenge is.........

Harriet!!!

The Random Number Generator picked number 10, and that was Harriet!  Congrats!  I am going to try to get these stamps in the mail ASAP so you can get them in time to make something before Halloween if you want to.

Thanks for playing, ladies!  Remember to keep posting daily until the 31st for the giant Blog Giveaway!  Have a great weekend!

(And, thanks for all of your comments about my most excellent news......did that sound a lot like something from Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure??? HA)

Life Is Good........and a Quickfire Challenge (with prizes)!!

THE QUICKFIRE CHALLENGE IS CLOSED!  THANKS FOR PLAYING!

I saw my oncologist Monday afternoon and I am really happy to report that at this exact moment in time.....I am cancer free!  I am doing well on Tamoxifen, the hormone therapy drug I am taking, and my blood levels in almost every aspect are close to normal!!  Life is good!  I am flying pretty high today!

To celebrate, I am going to do a spontaneous mini giveaway (it is titled a Quickfire Challenge because my husband and I love to watch Top Chef.....even though it really doesn't involve a challenge, but go with me here).

Quickfire Challenge Details (Read Carefully!!)

1.  This is separate from the ginormous Breast Cancer Awareness Giveaway I am doing for the entire month of October.  You still have to post once a day for the Awareness Giveaway.

2.  Put your comment on this post only for the Quickfire Challenge.....you can only post once.  You can comment all you want to, actually, but only one entry will count. :)

3.  Post your comment from Wednesday to Friday.  On Saturday morning I will let the random integer thingy choose the winner.

Sooooooooooo, do you want to know what the Quickfire Challenge prizes are?

One lucky duck will win these:

These are the super cute October 2009 House Mouse wood mounted stamps from Stampabilities!  The larger one is "Witch Way To The Candy?" and the smaller one is "Witching You A Happy Halloween". 

Remember, you can only comment once to enter the Quickfire Challenge and it has to be on this  post.  Keep posting your comments daily for the Breast  Cancer Awareness Giveaway.  Any questions?  If you do, I will try to come down out of the clouds to answer you!! 

THE QUICKFIRE CHALLENGE IS CLOSED!  THANKS FOR PLAYING!

I saw my oncologist Monday afternoon and I am really happy to report that at this exact moment in time.....I am cancer free!  I am doing well on Tamoxifen, the hormone therapy drug I am taking, and my blood levels in almost every aspect are close to normal!!  Life is good!  I am flying pretty high today!

To celebrate, I am going to do a spontaneous mini giveaway (it is titled a Quickfire Challenge because my husband and I love to watch Top Chef.....even though it really doesn't involve a challenge, but go with me here).

Quickfire Challenge Details (Read Carefully!!)

1.  This is separate from the ginormous Breast Cancer Awareness Giveaway I am doing for the entire month of October.  You still have to post once a day for the Awareness Giveaway.

2.  Put your comment on this post only for the Quickfire Challenge.....you can only post once.  You can comment all you want to, actually, but only one entry will count. :)

3.  Post your comment from Wednesday to Friday.  On Saturday morning I will let the random integer thingy choose the winner.

Sooooooooooo, do you want to know what the Quickfire Challenge prizes are?

One lucky duck will win these:

These are the super cute October 2009 House Mouse wood mounted stamps from Stampabilities!  The larger one is "Witch Way To The Candy?" and the smaller one is "Witching You A Happy Halloween". 

Remember, you can only comment once to enter the Quickfire Challenge and it has to be on this  post.  Keep posting your comments daily for the Breast  Cancer Awareness Giveaway.  Any questions?  If you do, I will try to come down out of the clouds to answer you!! 

Even More Pink Links!!

1.  When we were at Target on Friday night, they had an endcap display of pink stuff for Breast Cancer Awareness Month......awesome!  Not that I need ANY reason whatsoever to either like Target or buy anything at Target! 

Anyway, they had these cute 2-packs of Pink Ribbon pink Sharpie highlighter pens!  I also do not need any excuse to buy highlighter pens.....I am obsessed with them.  Upon further inspection of the package, it says that Sharpie donates money through the sale of these highlighters to the City Of Hope for breast cancer research, treatment and education!  How awesome is that???  I am picking up some additional packs of these on our next trip......I know my daughter in college loves highlighters as much as I do and would appreciate getting some.

2.  I also love to shop at Nordstrom and they are selling a number of Breast Cancer Awareness products.  A whole page of Awareness products on their online site can be found here.  Also, if you go to an actual Nordstrom store and purchase a bra from their list of lingerie partners, they will donate $2 to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.  So, if you are in the market for a new swanky bra, go to Nordstrom this time to purchase one.....every little bit helps!  The program is called Nordstrom Fits America. 

 

Honest Scrap!!

Kimberly Davison is a new internet friend and gave me a blogging award today!  I am excited!  Thanks a bunch, Kim!  Hop on over to her blog Paper Craft Diva to see some beautiful cards (there are a ton of Christmas cards that she has made that will make you totally jealous......she's got a jump on the holidays, for sure!!)

I am supposed to post 10 things about myself, and share this award with 5 other women.  I know so many amazing women and it was extremely hard to chose just 5 (I am not just saying that), but I chose these 5 because of their warm personalities and messages, not to mention their awesome card making talents!!  

1.  Cindy is a fellow breast cancer survivor, and extended her hand in friendship over the internet during my second time going through cancer.  She is encouraging, and I always know she "gets" what I am saying.  Creations by Cindy is the name of her blog, and I am always thrilled to visit it because her cards are so inspiring.

2.  I "met" Manna through my SBS9 group and she is possibly one of the sweetest people I have ever met.  She was one of the first people to send me a handmade card when I found out I had cancer again, and I was so touched by what she wrote to me.  To give you an idea of how unselfish she is, please go read this post on her blog titled Cards For Troops.  She is just amazing!!

3.  Pat Jaynes is also a member of The Stamping Studio Design Team, and a very new friend.  When the team was announced last spring, Pat reached out to me and over a short time has made me feel like I have known her for most of my life.  Her outlook on life and living it are a model for me to aspire to.  She is very new to to the blogging world and you can go to PJ's Kreative Korner.  

4.  Lizzy, also from my SBS9 group, is someone I admire very much because she takes and expresses herself through unbelievably gorgeous photographs (her flower photos are to die for!), and always has a great story to tell on her blog, One Day In My Life.  She has a quote on her blog that I read every time I go there:  "Life isn't about waiting for the storms to pass, it's about learning to dance in the rain."  I love that!!

5. Kim Marie, Frog of Faith, lives what she believes, and genuinely cares about other people.  I have known from the beginning that she is a "good soul".  And I love seeing what kind of cards she is making next!

Okay, now for the part that is going to probably make my armpits sweat a little.....10 things about me.  This is gonna be soooooooooo hard!

1.  I always pack for a trip the day before I leave, at the very latest.  I am totally anal about having an organized suitcase when traveling.  My well-organized underwear and toiletries are legend in my family.

2.  The only part of my body that I have not had an MRI, CT scan or x-ray on are my hands.

3.  It is not very fashionable or considered beautiful by any account, but I kinda like the slight space between my top front teeth.  My mom and gramma both had one, too.

4.  I miss buying school supplies every fall!  There.....I said it.

5.  I sincerely like vegetables.  About the only veggie I won't eat is okra.....it is too slimy and stringy.

6.  The one make-up item that I couldn't live without is mascara.  I am a blonde and most blonde people have albino eyelashes.  When I was a brownie girl scout leader, I went with my troop to camp one summer......I had a little girl there ask me why I looked funny.  When I told her I wasn't wearing make-up, she said she liked me better with make-up on.  Me too, babe, me too.

7.  I have been bugging my husband to get a puppy.......I even have a photo of a Westie taped to our bathroom mirror to inspire him!!  He grew up with no pets whatsoever, so I suppose I should view the fact that we've had one cat for 16 years a small victory.

8.  We still use some of the words for things that my daughters used when they were little.  We're talking toddlers.  We call Cheetos "toadies" and napkins "nackums", etc.  Now that I just typed that, it looks a little silly. 

9.   I buy new music every month, either downloaded from iTunes or uploaded from a real CD.  I love music!  My collection is very eclectic, from Judas Priest to Josh Groban to Maroon 5 to The Grass Roots. 

10.  I rarely leave laundry in the dryer.  I need to get it out of there and fold it, or it haunts me!

Are you still awake?  Bless you if you got to the end.

Poof!

Poof!  The comments on here seem to be vanishing!  Well, not really.  I can still see them in my account's comments section.  They just don't seem to be making it onto the blog for some reason.

Soooooooooo...

Just keep trying!  I am sorry this is happening......it is probably just a glitch in TypePad's system right now.  To address specific people on their recent posts:

Denise, I can see all the posts you have made......specifically, one on the 12th, one on the 13th and three today.  Please keep posting! 

Shell, I have comments for you from the 10th and the 13th.....but not on the 12th.  You said you posted on the 12th, but it's not showing up anywhere.  Don't worry about it!  I will give you an extra post for that day, okay?

I also changed the photo of the blog giveaway items.  I was having a hard time getting everything into one photo (too much stuff, what can I say??!!)  But I finally just piled it all together and snapped one, so you should be able to see it up there in the Blog Giveaway post....unless TypePad ate that, too!

Walkin' In A Winter Wonderland!

This is what it is doing in my world today.

It is wayyyyyyyyyyyyy too soon for this.  It isn't even Halloween yet! 

I know I have not posted in a couple of days, and I promised to post every day during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  I needed a couple of days to rejuvinate......I was feeling bone tired.  And today would have been a good day to curl up in bed with a book and just veg out, but I am now tired of being tired!  HA

Hope it is sunny and warm wherever you are!!   

More Pink Links!!!

I am feeling really tired today and kind of out of sorts, so not much to post.  Sometimes at the end of the week I feel this way, and it is a reminder that recovery from radiation and cancer treatment really, truly is a process.  Time to go sit on the couch and watch me some Oprah.  Found some other Pink Links for you, though.

A Cherry On Top online scrapbooking store is giving away a 6 x 6 pink cardstock bundle (textured, glittered, embossed, etc.) for a limited time with each $25 purchase!

Get free shipping on any order at Bobbi Brown Cosmetics when you include their cute Pink Ribbon Collection Set in your order! 

If you love their Dramatically Different Moisturizer or Lip Gloss, buy these special products from Clinique and part of your purchase price will be donated!

Forget The Ark.........Send A Snow Shovel!!

Ahhhhh.....it wouldn't be Minnesota unless we were expected fall snow showers!  That's in our forecast for Saturday.  I am definitely hibernating this weekend.

I also wanted to thank those of you who have shown support for Breast Cancer Awareness by posting on my blog and participating in the giveaway this month.  You ladies are awesome!

No time today to post my project, so I'll do it tomorrow.  We're taking my in-laws out for dinner tonight.....it is my FIL's 78th birthday tomorrow!!  I need to go get pretty (and the older I get, the longer it takes to do that!  HA).

 

Yeah, Baby!!........And Some Pink Links!

We won!!!  The Minnesota Twins are the American League Central Division champs!!  It took 12 innings and over 4 hours to do it, but I am so excited that they are now in the playoffs.  We play the Yankees tonight, so you know where I will be!

I thought I would post some Pink Links to products and companies who are donating proceeds from the sale of Breast Cancer Awareness products.  Please support these companies!  It could also be as easy as buying some of the Breast Cancer stamps from the post office........we all have to buy stamps, right?

PINK LINKS

This is only a few of the things I know about......it isn't meant to be a comprehensive list.  You can Google "breast cancer awareness products" and a whole pile of info will be at your fingertips!!

Breast Cancer Stamps at USPS
"Promise Blend" of pink M & Ms (You can also get bags of pink plain and peanut M & Ms)
Get special BC Awareness handbags, scarf, watch and key fob at Coach
Downy Fabric Softener (Even though it is not pictured on their website, I just purchased
  2 big pink bottles of specially packaged Downy last weekend!)
Quilted Northern Bath Tissue (Just bought some of this, too.....the packaging is also
  pink - wish the toilet paper was!)
Bounce Dryer Sheets (Not on their website either, but they are out there in a little pink 
  box!)
Mini Notebook and The Reader Pocket Edition from Sony
Dell Promise Pink Inspiron Notebook
Send In Your Lids To Save Lives promotion from Yoplait Yogurt
Pink Ribbon Pallette of eye shadow and cheek colors from Prescriptives
 

Quick, Noah........Send The Ark!!

It's raining again today.  For the eleventy-billionth day in a row.  WHERE'S THE SUNSHINE?  Okay, my little flipping-out episode is over.

I don't have a thing to post today......nothing to show for myself.  I am really busy today and just popped on here while I eat my lunch at the computer.  Even lunch is late because I almost forgot to eat!!! (Its 1:20 pm). 

I am feverishly trying to finish the laundry, a project and some tedious paperwork to prepare to be locked and loaded in front of the TV on the couch at 4:00 pm sharp.  Why, you ask?  The Minnesota Twins are playing a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers to determine the winner of the American League Central Division.  We are tied, so there has to be a play-off game.   I have watched approximately 160 of the Twins' 162 regular season baseball games this year and I am so excited about the possibility of this baseball team going to post-season play! 

I promise that I'll actually post a photograph of something tomorrow.  Until then, if you see Noah tell him to send me his ark! 

One Of Those Days........and A Scary Skeleton!

Ever have one of those days where you spend the whole day doing things, but nothing was completed so you don't have anything to show for it?  I feel like a hamster in a wheel today!!  Ahhh.....it is Monday, isn't it!  It is also raining here today.....AGAIN!  I feel like I have been living in a cave for two weeks because it is so gloomy.  I see now that may have added to my general mood today, too. 

This hamster did not complete a card today (that would be ME, if you aren't keeping up here).......I worked on one, as well as a cute Halloween project.  They are not done.  As my dear mom always used to say, "tomorrow is another day".  Just so I don't feel bad for not posting anything, I am posting one of my favorite Halloween cards.  I made these for my nephews a couple of years ago......we only have nephews, eight to be exact, so cutesy Halloween cards are kind of out.  Good thing I only had girls and can make cutesy things for them!!  ANYWAY, this card is made with stamps that you piece together to make a figure that moves, in this case a skeleton with swinging arms and legs.  How cool is that?

Card Recipe:

Skeleton and sentiment stamps by Rubber Baby Buggy Bumpers
(company is out of business now)
Harlequin stamp by The Stamping Studio
Memories black ink pad by Stewart Superior 
Black embossing powder by Ranger
Black LIcorice Matte Finish Brads by Lasting Impressions
Patterned paper - sorry, I can't remember!
Other:  Black cardstock
   1/4 inch tan/black gingham ribbon
 

There Is Hope For All Women!

I know I have posted this project before....probably at least a couple of times.  But I am posting it again today.  For a joint design team project for The Stamping Studio, we each decorated a side of a set of wooden blocks.  I chose a pink ribbon theme, and really like how it turned out.  It just seemed appropriate to post it again.

Without hope, there is nothing.

Fit For A Queen!

I made a card a couple of months ago that has been sitting on my desk staring at me, begging me to add something to it.  It was one of those things you make that you just say......hmmmmm, this needs something else.  So I added a flower to the ribbon.  In the process, I also made a gift box to go with it from an empty Godiva candy box.  I LOVE to recycle things whenever I can.  So, if the card looks familiar, it is.  If the flowers on the box look familiar, they are.  I just used one on the Breast Cancer "Awareness" card I made yesterday.  I must really like them.

 
 
  
  
Card and Gift Box Recipe:

It's Good To Be Queen stamp set by The Stamping Studio
Gold ColorBox pigment ink pad by Clearsnap
Jumbo Java VersaMagic chalk ink pad by Tsukineko
Clear and Gold Super Fine Detail Embossing Powder by Ranger
Espresso Adirondack Acrylic Paint Dabber by Ranger
Brighton, Bristol and Rochester patterned papers from the Windsor
  Collection by SEI
7/8 inch gold wired ribbon by Michaels Stores Inc.
9mm gold jump ring by Jewelry Essentials
White opaque pen from Inkssentials by Ranger
Ivory Simply Smooth and Suede Brown Dark Prismatics cardstock by
  Prism Papers
Ivory Trellis Roses and small ivory paper flowers by Prima 
Gold Trinkets Textured Knit Blossoms by Maya Road
Mini-Scallop Paper Edger decorative scissors by Fiskars
Other:  Gold metallic cardstock
   Small and extra-small clear jewels
   Chipboard
   Empty gold candy box (7-1/2 x 6-1/2 x 2-7/8 inches)

 

 

Think Pink!

In honor of my awesome follow-up visit to see my radiation oncologist today, I came home and made this card.  I don't think it is my favorite card as far as design goes, but it is definitely a favorite theme.

Card Recipe:
Awareness Ribbon stamp set by The Stamping Studio
Pixie Dust chalk ink pad from VersaMagic by Tsukineko
Pitch Black Adirondack dye ink pad by Ranger
Iced Pink and Perfect Baby Pink Prismatics cardstock by Prism Papers
Strong and Thankful patterned paper from the Thankful Collection by Melissa Frances
  (this is her Breast Cancer Awareness paper line!)
Cupcake Sugar Coated Adhesive Chipboard by Doodlebug
Pink Border Strips from Say It In Pearls by Prima Marketing
Ivory Trellis Roses by Prima Marketing
3/8 inch velvet scalloped trim

Oh, and my visit was awesome because I have healed VERY well after radiation treatments 3 months ago!  So, to celebrate even more.......if you make a Breast Cancer themed card and link it back to this post, I'll give you an extra entry into my blog giveaway! (Again, it is dark and gloomy here today so I'll definitely post a better photo once the sun starts shining again!) 

Don't forget to read all of the giveaway rules above!  I will be back tomorrow, hopefully with another card!

Celebrate October 2009 Breast Cancer Awareness Month With My Blog Giveaway!

**The big Blog Giveaway in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness is CLOSED (and the comment section has been closed on this post as well)!  Thanks so much for playing along all during the month of October.  Come back on Sunday morning the 1st of November to see if your name is announced as the winner!**

 

**This Post will remain at the top until midnight October 31st!!  Please check below for current postings!**

 

Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October is something near and dear to my heart.  There are way too many women suffering through breast cancer and while there are many advances in research and treatment, there is still so very far to go.  So, if you have a chance to buy "pink" Breast Cancer Awareness products in October, spend a few extra pennies to do so and part of what you spend will be donated.  Just watch for labels and such, and the pink color of things will give it away, too.  We have already bought things like Northern toilet paper and Downy fabric softener that are specially labeled (the Downy bottle is actually pink instead of blue!!).  I know that last year Target had pink M & Ms.......I confess that we bought many bags of them.  I jumped at the chance for someone to tell me that it is okay to eat mass quantities of M & Ms!

 

Also, if you have been putting off going to your doctor to get your annual mammogram, please do it.  Early detection is what has literally saved my life.....twice.  I can't stress the importance of this enough times.

 

Now that I am done on my soapbox I know inquiring minds want to know what kind of giveaway I am doing.  It is BIG!!  Hundreds of dollars worth of stuff - stamp sets, stamp pads, Nestabilities, Sizzix embossing folders, etc.    You could win the whole shebang by posting comments!!  That means you will actually have to work to be entered in the giveaway and I hope you think it will be worth it.  The more you post, the more times you will be entered in the giveaway but only one post per day will count!  Conceivably, if you post every day this month you will be entered 31 times in the drawing.   I've issued a personal challenge to myself to post something every day, which should help out your individual causes!!  I'll have the drawing for the giveaway on November 1st.

 

Does that all make sense?  If not, please ask. 

 

Please remember that almost all of the die cutting/embossing machines on the market can be used with various manufacturers.  So, if you have a Sizzix, for example, you can use Nestabilities dies........or if you have a Cuttlebug, the smaller Sizzix embossing folders like the ones I am giving away will work in it.  Or you can pass these along to someone you know who owns a machine.  Or request that she cut you some shapes or emboss some cardstock for you. 

 

Blog Giveaway Photo

 

The Details Rehashed:

1-  Post a comment to be entered each day.

2 - You can post a maximum of once per day for 31 days.

3 - Deadline is October 31st at midnight.

4 - Drawing for giveaway will be on November 1st

5 - Good Luck!

 

List of Prizes in Giveaway: (you can click each prize to be linked to a photo and description):

Dahlia Nestabilities dies by Spellbinders

Standard Circles-Large Nestabilities dies by Spellbinders

Classic Scalloped Circles-Large Nestabilities dies by Spellbinders

Pinking Circles-Large Nestabilities dies by Spellbinders

Sizzix Textured Impressions Embossing Folders - Spring Flowers and Paisley Set

Autumn Leaves Stamp Pads for Clear Stamps (you can't get these anymore and they are SUPER!) - Light Blue and Red

Little Forest Friends stamp set by My Cute Stamps

Fluttering By stamp set by Verve Stamps

Playful Alphabet stamp set by Cornish Heritage Farms

Flowers and Lace Backgrounder stamp by Cornish Heritage Farms (I love their background stamps and this one will be perfect for Valentine's Day

Nature's Silhouettes stamp set by Cornish Heritage Farms

Be Mine Heart and Sole wood mounted stamp by House Mouse Designs

Elf Hanna stamp set by Hanna Stamps

Bear Hugs stamp set by C.C. Designs

Favorite Definition Block stamp by Stamping Bella 

Robins stamp from Gillian Roberts by Stampavie

Early Bird Mini Deck 6 x 6 Paper Pad by Cosmo Cricket

Sweet Surprises Braddies by Doodlebug 

Alpine and Fresh Green ColorBox Cat's Eye Pigment Inkpads by Clearsnap

Moonlight Smooch pearlized ink by Clearsnap 

Copper, Denim, Plum and Red Self-adhesive Pearls by Kaisercraft

Dark Green and Dark Purple Self-adhesive Rhinestones by Kaisercraft 

 

Good Luck!

 

  

 

Book Pages!

For our September deadline projects, The Stamping Studio design team was given the challenge to use book pages in our designs.  I made three cards and a votive candle holder for my projects and used the Flower of The Month stamp set for April, which is a daisy.  Daisies have a special place in my heart.  My mom's nickname was Daisy Mae, and her birthday was in April......so this is just a sweet stamp set all around!

Boogie on over to The Stamping Studio to see all of the Flower of The Month stamp sets!

 

Project Recipe:

Flower of the Month 7 - Daisy, Long Skinny Sentiments, Curlys, and Tickled Pink
  stamp sets by The Stamping Studio
Espresso Adirondack die ink pad by Ranger
Van Dyke Brown die ink pad from Nick Bantock by Ranger
Tea Leaves chalk ink pad from VersaMagic by Tsukineko
VersaMark watermark ink pad by Tsukineko
Majestic Purple Light, Medium and Dark, and Suede Brown Dark cardstock
  from Prismatics by Prism Papers
Kraft cardstock by Bazzill
Scallop Diamond Edger Punch by EK Success
Inkssentials white opaque pen
Yellow self-adhesive pearls by Kaiser Scrapbook
Lavender paper flowers by Prima Marketing
Waxed hemp beading twine by Ecolution
Dusty Concord Distress and Frosted Lace Stickles by Ranger
Copic Markers
3/8 inch double sided satin ribbon by American Crafts
3/8 inch brown striped ribbon by May Arts
5 oz. Quattro Stagioni spice jar from The Container Store
Classic Circles-Large and Classic Scalloped Circles-Large Nestabilities dies
  by Spellbinders
Other: White smooth cardstock
   White votive candle
   Pages from old book

 

Mum's The Word!

I have some projects to share for The Stamping Studio's Flower Of The Month for October.  The stamp is a mum, which I love!  Mums remind me of the fall, and of the pots of mums my parents used to send me for my birthday every year.

I actally made these projects in January/February, but couldn't post them until the release of the stamp set........in this case, nine months later.  I have stated before how much I love Brooke Smith's drawings for the FOTM sets, and just her artwork in general.  You can view all of the FOTM stamps by going to The Stamping Studio and scrolling all the way to the bottom in the store area to click on the FOTM stamp section.  Check them out!!

The trio of projects I made includes two cards and a frame.  You can see how dimensional you can make this flower stamp by layering it!

 

 

 

 

Card Recipe:

Flower of The Month 10 - Mum stamp set by The Stamping Studio
County Library, Depot Park, KM Building, Main Street and Woolworths patterned paper from the
Hometown Collection by October Afternoon

 

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!

(I love saying "Winner Winner Chicken Dinner", especially when it is appropriate to do so!)

I used the Random Number Generator at Random.org to figure out who the winner would be, but I can't figure out how to copy the results here sooooooooo you are just going to have to take my word for it.  The winning number is 1, which means that Barb is the winner because you posted first..........congrats, girl!  I will get your prize in the mail to you within the next couple of days.

Happy Birthday To ME and A Present For YOU!!

**This post will remain at the top here until Friday, September 25th.  Please look down a little farther to see if there are any newer posts this week......you just never know if I was inspired to post something else!**

Yup, today is September 21st and it is my birthday!  To celebrate I'd like to spread a little good cheer around by offering a chance to win a special prize.

What You Need To Do To Win:

Just post a comment on this blog entry by noon on Friday, September 25th.  Everyone who leaves a comment will be put into a random drawing.  You can only be entered once to win.  It is just that easy!!

What You Will Win:

The prize is a brand new stamp set called Autumn Sentiments from Amy R Stamps by C. C. Designs.  The set is available from All That Scraps (you can find the link over there on the left).  The red rubber set will come mounted, and all you will need to do is cut them out.  I love this stamp set!

Thanks for entering, and now I need to toddle off to bed so I can wake up and really start to celebrate!!  Birthday cake for breakfast is soooooo fun!

Don't forget to check back on October 1st.  That mother of all blog giveaways I mentioned?  It will start on October 1st!!!!!!

Down The Dark Rabbit Hole and PB&J Anyone?

For a couple of months over the summer I forgot to believe the title of my blog.  I was in a really dark place because of cancer.  I let it take over.  I was really scared.

One day recently, I read something a breast cancer survivor wrote about her experience and she could have been writing my words.  She talked about recovery being a process, and one day you will find that that your thoughts won't be all about death, but about life.  And, even though I am not totally there yet, I am edging toward a feeling that I really am grateful to be alive.  I can feel some of my old determination creeping back into my thoughts and decisions.

So that's where I have been.  Down the dark rabbit hole.

Next month is October, which is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.....to celebrate, I am going to have the mother of all blog giveaways (stamps, Nestabilities, etc.).  Details coming soon.  Also coming soon are some things I have been working on.  Nothing like stamps and ink to put you in a good mood!

I am leaving you with a card I made for my husband for our 29th anniversary in August.  Sometimes we exchange mushy cards and sometimes they are funny.  This year I thought we might need something funny.  I made the jelly shiny on the PBJ sammie and the card made my husband laugh when he opened it.

 

 

Card Recipe:

PB&J stamp by Two Scoops Rice Designs

Copic Markers

Espresso Adirondack dye ink pad by Ranger
French Vanilla cardstock from the Chocolate Box Collection
     by Core’dinations Cardstock
Spots and Dots Cuttlebug embossing folder by Provo Craft

3/8 inch purple grosgrain ribbon by American Crafts
Classic Rectangles, Large and Classic Scalloped Rectangles,
     Large Nestabilities dies by Spellbinders
Crystal Effects by Stampin’ Up!
Tan, brown and purple cardstock by Bazzill
Computer generated sentiment

Just Bee-Cause!

Still trying to traverse the muck that is my life right now, but will slowly try to post some things over the next week.  I have a DT assignment to post, but I need to download and edit the photos.....and I am not in the mood to do that this morning.

I signed up for a swap with my new SBS#26 group of stamping sisters, and I am glad I did.  It got my butt moving a little bit again.  I made a card!  Actually, I made 4 cards.....because that's how many other sisters signed up for the swap (okay, secretly I am soooooooooo glad I only had to make 4!!).  I don't really do swaps anymore, but I am glad I did this one.  I not only produced a card I like, but I used some new stamps that have been sitting around waiting for me to use them.  And, of course, that butt-moving thing.

The brown cardstock is actually that cool Core'dinations stuff that is another color in the core of each sheet.  I put it through my Cuttlebug and sanded the brown off the top to reveal the pretty light pink underneath.  Definitely going to figure out other ways to use it, because it was fun!

 

 

Card Recipe:

 

The Bee List stamp by Cornish Heritage Farms

Bumble B. Bear stamp set from Cookie Crumbs by C. C. Designs

Espresso Adirondack dye ink pad by Ranger

Colored pencils (Apple Green, Jasmine, Pink, Pink Rose, Yellow Ochre) from Prismacolor by Sanford

Strawberries n’ Cream cardstock from The Chocolate Box Collection by Core’dinations Cardstock

Gold textured cardstock by Bazzill

Ivory Simply Smooth cardstock by Prism Papers

Swiss Dots Cuttlebug embossing folder by Provo Craft

3/8” light pink double sided satin ribbon by American Crafts

Bootiful Mini Sprinkles mini brads by Queen & Co.

Mini pink rosebuds by Savvy Stamps

 

Be Thankful!

Be Thankful

Be thankful that you don't already have everything you desire,
If you did, what would there be to look forward to?

Be thankful when you don't know something
For it gives you the opportunity to learn.

Be thankful for the difficult times.
During those times you grow.

Be thankful for your limitations
Because they give you opportunities for improvement.

Be thankful for each new challenge
Because it will build your strength and character.

Be thankful for your mistakes
They will teach you valuable lessons.

Be thankful when you're tired and weary
Because it means you've made a difference.

It is easy to be thankful for the good things.
A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are
also thankful for the setbacks.

GRATITUDE can turn a negative into a positive.
Find a way to be thankful for your troubles
and they can become your blessings.
~ Author Unknown ~

I have had a tough couple of weeks following the end of radiation.  When they perform breast cancer surgery, they do a sentinel node biopsy which removes lymph nodes from under your arm to make sure the cancer has not spread to your lymph system.  The first time I had BC, I had two lymph nodes removed.....this time I had eight removed.  What a difference!  I have had so much pain as my lymph system readjusts and the excess fluid goes away.  To know how it feels, put a hard baseball under your arm and try to sleep with it there.  Ouch!  The past two days have been much better, so I am hoping this is it.

 

I probably won't do anymore cancer updating because I really want to get back to whatever my new normal is going to be, and take the focus off of my cancer.  Don't get me wrong.....it will be with me every minute of every day, but I am tired of giving "It" more power in my life than it deserves.  Life has to be more about living rather than focusing on "what ifs".

 

From the bottom of my heart, and I mean this ever so sincerely, thanks for the support and compassion many of you have shown me over the past few months.  You may think it was insignificant to write a few words of encouragement here or to send a card or email, but it is big in the life of someone whose world becomes increasingly small when faced with illness.  Thank you, thank you, thank you!

 

Okay......I will be back in a few days with some actual cards and stuff.  I have a DT assignment to finish and an SBS group swap to accomplish.  It is my small attempt to get back to that "normal" I was talking about.  This is coming from a slightly abnormal person, so we'll see how that goes. 

 

The Finish Line......At Least For This Part Of The Race!

 

I finished radiation on Tuesday (yippee!) and will continue to take another couple of weeks to recover to where I feel like I can have a semi-normal day.  Radiation really took a lot of my normal spirit away and made me so so so tired and made me sore.  In reality, it will take many weeks for the effects to go away if I can count on what happened last time to also happen to me this time.

Next week I will be starting another journey.  I really don't know what to expect, as I have heard so much good and so much bad about what I am going to begin next.  I will start hormonal therapy and will be on various types of therapy for the next five to ten years.  I keep joking to people that I will soon grow a mustache and my voice will get deeper (yikes!), but truth be told it scares me a lot.  I just have to keep remembering that I am trying to do everything I can to keep cancer from re-entering my life.

I'll be back in a couple of weeks.  In the meantime, I hope to get around at some point to look at creative blogs again.  As always, thanks for your sweet comments.  Keep the faith!

 

Day 16 of 20!

 

Cancer Update

I will be done with radiation in less than ONE WEEK!  I am counting down the days until next Tuesday!  Usually I can recover to feel somewhat better on Saturdays and Sundays when I don't have radiation, but this last weekend I continued to feel bad.  :(  I am trying to post this after sleeping for two extra hours today.  These gigantic naps seem to be the norm for me these days.  My skin now looks like I have a really bad sunburn, but I know it could be far worse as some people get bad radiation burns with blisters and such.....so thank heavens for that.

 

On Thursday (tomorrow), they will switch from giving me the extra-dose radiation to my entire breast to what they call boosters, which will be four days of an extra-dose radiation that will only go to the cancer site.  I am not going to get into the science-y thing here, but this booster radiation is different in that it does not penetrate as far into your body as "regular" radiation, thus they use it for these boosters.  I am just excited to get to this booster phase because it signals that the end of radiation is nearing.

  

So, after my radiation treatment and a final appointment with the radiation oncologist (both on June 30th), I will say farewell to the Radiation Oncology Department (and one of my favorite doctors in the whole world, which is sad, but in a way it is not)!!!  I will blog about the next stage of treatment in two weeks when I go back to see Dr. P (my oncologist, whose name is hard to pronounce so I have taken to calling him Dr. P).  More "fun stuff" in store, I'm afraid.

 

Cool Friends Update

 

I must know some of the most creative people on the planet judging from the cards I have received over the weeks.  This week brought me a card from Barb, my SBS26 sister, and it is so sparkly and beautiful!  It has a lovely butterfly image stamped on it that is highlighted with glittery goodness, and even my husband commented on how pretty it was when I opened it (you all know how much it takes for anyone in the male gender to "notice" these things).  Thank you so much, Barb....I totally love it!

 

Also, thanks again to Cindy for the blogging award! (see post from yesterday)

 

Creative Update

 

Wow, I actually have something to post!

 

These are some projects I did in January/February for The Stamping Studio, but the stamp set wasn't released until now so I couldn't post them.  The stamp set is part of the Flower Of The Month Series, and the set for July is Cherry Blossom.  The artist Brooke Smith draws all the flowers for the series and I just love her artwork so much!  I used Shimmerz paint to fill in the stamped flowers, which I think is just so lovely in person.....I hope you can see some of the beautiful effects you can get with it in my photos.  Also, I must have been thinking Cherry Chocolate when I was doing the color scheme!

 

Please check out all of the Flower Of The Month stamp sets at The Stamping Studio by clicking on "The Store", then scrolling all the way to the bottom to click on the FOTM stamps.  A new set is released each month, so there are six already and the July one will be posted soon.

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Card Recipe:

FOTM7 - Cherry Blossom stamp set by The Stamping Studio

Timber Brown StazOn solvent ink pad by Tsukineko

Van Dyke Brown ink from Nick Bantock by Ranger

Cranberry Adirondack dye ink pad by Ranger

Brittle and Crushed Berry patterned paper from Bittersweet collection by Basic Grey

Magenta and Pink Poinsettia paint by Shimmerz

Kraft, pink and brown cardstock by Bazzill

Floral Lace border punch by Martha Stewart Crafts

Tan Copic marker

Other:  Jute

             Small and medium plastic jewels

             Corrugated cardboard

             Smooth white cardstock

             1/2 inch brown grosgrain ribbon

             5/8 inch brown suede ribbon

             Flowers

 

And The Winner Is....

Me!  I received a blogging award from my sweet SBS26 sister, Cindy.  I usually don't see these awards until way too late, so I am happy I saw this one in a timely manner.  Thanks so much, Cindy!

 

 

Here are the rules for this award:

Thank the person who nominated you for the award.
Copy the logo and place it on your blog.
Link to the person who gave you the award.
List 7 things about yourself that people may find interesting.
Nominate 7 new Kreativ Bloggers.
Post links to the new nominated blogs.
Leave a comment on their blogs, letting them know they have been nominated.

Here are 7 random things about me:

1.  In the 5 years I have been submitting cards and projects for publication, I have had over 65 things published.

2.  I love using highlighter pens!  My favorites are the Sharpie Accent pens.  Actually I love all Sharpie pens.

3.  I am tall at 5 ft. 9 in.  This came in handy for playing volleyball in high school.

4.  My husband and I will be married for 29 years on August 23rd.

5.  I go to Sporcle.com every night before I go to bed to do the trivia games.  It feeds my addiction to know all things pointless.

6.  I love Life Is Good t-shirts and own 6 of them.

7.  My favorite band is Def Leppard, hence the name of my blog which are lyrics from one of their songs. 

 

I want to nominate the following ladies for their cool blogs, which I think are super interesting and so fun to read:

1. Melody   

2.  Kriss 

3.  Alex

4.  Gina

5.  Kelley

6.  Cheryl

7.  Kate

 

I'll be back tomorrow with an update!

 

   

Day 10 of 20!

Cancer Update

Day 10 of 20 is tomorrow!  That means I will be halfway done with radiation treatments tomorrow!  Woohoo for me! 

Here's some info for you, since I have had questions about this.  I go every weekday to the Mayo Clinic to receive radiation therapy, and then have the weekends off for my body to recover a little (which you really need because of the fatigue and skin reactions).  The effects of radiation are cumulative, so as time goes on here I can expect to feel a little worse.  On Monday and Tuesday I have felt okay......by Friday I am putting in some serious nap-time!  By June 30th (my last day) I expect to be sleepwalking. 

Anyway, that is where I am right now!  I am trying to keep positive and stay away from negative thoughts.

Cool Friends Update

Thank you so much to my SBS sister, Shell, for the gorgeous purple-y butterfly card I received in the mail the other day!  I so appreciated the ladybug tag you included and plan to use it as a bookmark (coolio technique you used, too, by the way).  You also win the prize for having the prettiest decorated envelope I have ever seen!  Thanks again, sweet sister!!!

Creative Update

Nothing.  I've got nothing. {sigh}  When I feel like doing anything I do a load of laundry or something mundane like that.  I can't wait......CAN"T WAIT......until I feel up to doing things again!

"Come On Over!" and "Welcome!" To My New Sisters Update

My Sisterhood Of The Blogging Stampers group #28 never really took off except for a small group of us.  We were invited to join the sisters of SBS26 and I finally joined up with them tonight.  So, I just wanted to welcome all of my new sisters to my blog!  Here are a couple of links where you can read weird factoids about me, and get to know me a little bit:

Random Junk About Me

Sisterhood Of The Traveling Pants?? 

Day 4 of 20

Wow.....radiation is kind of kicking my butt big time. 
I basically have done the same things every day
because I really don't feel like doing much. 
Naps are my best friend. 
The fatigue is already crazy. 
Good thing they give you the weekends off to recover a bit. 
I know this is temporary, and so does my family....
they are treating me with lots of TLC.

Cards are only a figment of my imagination right now {sigh}.

Looking forward to June 30th (last day of rads).

P.S.  To people wanting my address......I can't find most of your email addresses easily to give it to you.  My brain is not navigating blogs and such very well right now.  I was only able to find a few before petering out.  Sorry!

And So It Begins.....

Cancer Update:

I start radiation tomorrow, and will be receiving treatments through the end of June.  I opted to do a newer course of treatment and will receive 4 weeks of a more intense dose each time instead of 6 weeks at a regular dose.  Apparently because I didn't get the most severe side effects last time I did radiation, I am a good candidate for it.  My radiation oncologist just started offering this to patients because she has been waiting for a while for good data to come out on how effective it is to do this.  At any rate, I can still look forward to skin reactions and severe fatigue, etc.....I am just not sure how awful it will be this time.  But anything it takes to wipe out this stupid cancer is worth it!

Creative Update:

I am going to share a card that I made recently that I actually did take a photo of!  Will wonders never cease?!?  I swear I am super forgetful lately, and I can't even blame it on Radiation Brain yet!!  All the sparkly gold makes me happy.  It does kind of look more autumnal than summery, but that's okay.

 

 

Card Recipe:

 

It's Good To Be Queen stamp set by The Stamping Studio

Gold ColorBox pigment ink pad by Clearsnap

Jumbo Java VersaMagic chalk ink pad by Tsukineko

Clear and Gold Super Fine Detail embossing powder by Ranger

Brighton, Bristol and Rochester patterned papers from the

     Windsor collection by SEI

Coin blanks by Pine Cone Press

7/8" gold wired ribbon by Michaels Stores Inc.

9mm gold jump ring by Jewelry Essentials

White opaque pen from Inkssentials by Ranger

Other: Ivory, Gold and Brown cardstock

           Medium and small plastic jewels

 

I am slowly getting around to people's blogs today, and hope to visit all of my SBS Sisters by the end of the day.  I just feel so far behind and out of the loop!

Can I Get A Hallelujah??

This has been a huge emotionally draining day, but I wanted to post that my oncologist called this morning to let me know that my test results were back......a whole week early!!!  Yay!

Fantastic news!  My test results were good and I do not have to do chemo!!  Right now statistically chemo would only help me 1-3%, which my oncologist does not think justifies going through all the nasty stuff that would accompany the process.   So, I will start radiation in about 7-10 days!

This is such a big relief!  Guess all of my chanting helped, huh?

Thanks so much for your comments, for your prayers and for sharing your stories with me, either here or by email or by mail.  It makes things so much brighter when you can feel the arms of people around you, and I definitely feel that!  You all have to know what a difference that makes!  Thank you a million times just would not be enough.

Still Waiting and A Little Good Luck Assistance!

Cancer Update:

Still waiting for the test results and I have to say that I am going a little nuts!  Everybody chant with me...."no chemo, no chemo, no chemo!"  That's about all I have.  Admitting that I am going insane and have now reverted to daily chanting.  It is hard knowing that I would be starting radiation at the end of this week if I didn't have to wait for the darn test results....not that I WANT to do radiation, but at least I would be doing something positive.

Creative Update:

I have been making things, but not being very good at photographing anything.  I did take a photo of a birthday card I sent off.

  

Card Recipe:

Happy Birthday Rounder stamp by The Stamping Studio

Eggplant VersaMagic chalk ink pad by Tsukineko

Wisteria patterned paper collection by Basic Grey

Frosted brad from Creative Cafe by Creative Imaginations

Clouds Paper Edgers by Fiskars

Other:  Light gray  and white cardstock

             Plastic half pearls

             3/8-inch square punch

 

The patterned paper is actually light blue, but when you photograph stuff at night it ends up not looking like the true color.  Oh well.  I think I should be content with actually getting something photographed these days.

 

Cool Friends Update:

 

Not only did my wonderful SBS9 sister, Lizzy, send me a beautiful card but she included a cute little beaded Good Luck Charm that I am pretty sure she made with her own little hands!  It is so sweet and is now hanging off of the swanky new purse that I received for Mother's Day, which it matches perfectly!  Thank you so much, Lizzy....it will now be going with me wherever I go!  (Also, Lizzy called my cancer the "Evil Being" which is just so perfect.)

 

 

Colorful Flowers Update: (okay, so I am digging for what to call each category.....give me a break)

 

Finally, here is a freebie photo of the flowers Mike gave me for Mother's Day.  Aren't all the different colors gorgeous??

 

That's it for now.  I am trying to get around to people's blogs slowly but surely, but please don't hold it against me if I am slower than usual.  I need to do it more often because it is a definite spirit lifter to see what beautiful things you are all making!

 

 

 

 

A Little Debra Winger and Some Updates!

"I want you to tell them it ain't so tragic!
People do get better.
Tell them it's OK to talk about the cancer!"

 

These are lines from the movie "Terms of Endearment", one of my all-time favorite movies (Emma, played by Debra Winger, is talking to her best friend, Patsy, after having lunch with Patsy's friends who try hard to talk about everything else, including yeast infections and genital herpes, everything besides the elephant in the room.....Emma's cancer).  The movie came out in the early 1980's, so it's kind of an oldie moldie.  The reason I am posting these words is because I have been asked why I am being so open about sharing what is happening to me with my breast cancer. 

 

If I am away for a few days or disappear for a week, then people will know what is going on.

 

If I inspire just one woman who reads all of my dribble to go get a mammogram, then I will have served a greater purpose in life.

 

If I can find strength and am lifted up from reading supportive comments posted by all of you, then my healing process will be greatly helped.

 

Okay, so here are the actual updates!

 

Cancer Update: 

I am in hurry up and wait mode again.  I am waiting until the end of next week to find out if I have to do chemo {gasp}. 

 

The first time I had breast cancer I was lucky and only had to do radiation.  This time I will do radiation and then take a  bunch of nasty drugs for 5 years, but there is still the chance I may have to do chemo.  I opted to do a big genetic test that is performed on the tissue they removed during surgery to determine if this cancer will come back or not.  If it comes back with a high risk, I will do chemo.  This test, called an Oncotype DX, was not available the first time I had cancer 6 years ago, so I am really thankful to have access to it.  I feel I will then have a lot of info with which my oncologist and I can make an informed decision.  It is hard because without this test I wouldn't be doing chemo at all, but I couldn't live with not knowing when I had the chance to know.  Yeah, I am one of those people who does all of the genetic tests offered to me.  Some people would rather not know, but to me with knowledge comes power. 

 

Creative Update:

One of the things that is helping immensely is to take a little time each day to create something.  I get to play with stamps and ink and pretty paper, and just forget about all the heavy stuff that is going on in my life right now.  No photos yet because it has been pretty cloudy here, but I'll get my act together soon.  I even colored with my Copics the other day!  Woooooooo!!

 

Cool Friends Update:

Thank you to my SBS9 sis, Alex, for the gorgeous card I received the other day!  And contrary to you saying you didn't want to make me cry, I did anyway.....because it is truly amazing to me how much people care about what I am going through.  Thanks, my friend!

 

 

That's it for now!

On This Wonderful Day.....

I want to wish all of the awesome women I know a Happy Mother's Day! 

Mother's Day is always kind of bittersweet for me because my own mom has now been gone for 7 years and my daughters are so far away, but I will get phone calls today from each of them and my husband will spoil me so it will be a good day!  And, truthfully, I am just so thankful for my life and being able to do the things I am able to do.

May your own Mother's Day celebrations be really special!

{Hugs} Wendy

A New Beginning With The Stamping Studio!

You know how you appreciate good news coming along and it kind of makes your day?  Well, good news is something to treasure for me recently, and I wanted to share that I am a part of an awesome design team again at The Stamping Studio!  I took a year away from so many things, and am so happy to be a part of this team again. 

Here's the 2009 design team:

Wendy Sebesta
Suzanne Milam
Pat Jaynes
Cheryl Kelly-Van Domelen

Alternates:
Millie Dawson-Hardy
Dina Gerner
Rita Ann Plummer

Congrats, ladies.....I know we will have an awesome year!

I'll do another Cancer Update in a few days after all of my appointments are over.  A big thanks to my lovely SBS9 sister Lulu for your beautiful, sunshiny yellow card......it was a definite day brightener and so fun to get from you across the pond!!

Hello From The Land of Unwashed Hair!

Just stopping in to say "hi". 

Still sore and moving very slowly

after surgery.

I'd forgotten how much bruising there is.

My armpit looks like a technicolor circus.

 

The surgeon's office called

with the pathology report

instead of making me wait

until next week.

Which was very wonderful of them.

Your mind tends to go to dark places

when you don't know things.

They got clean margins with the cancer

meaning they got it all out.

And I do not have cancer in my lymph nodes.

 

More next week after visits with

radiation oncologist and oncologist.

 

Also, thanks again for your messages.

And a huge thanks to Manna for the awesome card.

It made me cry.

 

News I Have Been Waiting For!

Well, here it is. 

After the two longest weeks of my life,

I finally got in to see my surgeon.   

Unfortunately, because he is so busy it just means

that there are a lot of women having breast cancer surgery.

I used him last time and he is a total rock star,

so I feel like I am in good hands. 

 

I go in for surgery tomorrow morning (Thursday). 

I actually will not know anything else

until the pathology report comes back

and I have met with my oncologist,

so I won't post again until that happens in a couple of weeks. 

I do know that I will be going through radiation again.

There are more possibilities on my horizon,

but I won't know

until discussions with the oncologist and radiation oncologist.

 

Thanks so much for your kind words. 

I totally understand that it is hard to know what to say

to someone in my situation,

so any messages I've received are really cherished. 

I Feel Like Bill Murray in Groundhog's Day!

Sorry about the lame humor.

I so need to keep life normal right now, though.

And keep my sense of humor.

 

Last week was my 6 year anniversary of being cancer-free. 

But I didn't make it past that anniversary. 

I have breast cancer again. 

For the second time.

 

Which makes me gasp and makes me a little insane.

 

The coming weeks will be filled with surgery and recovery. 

I have breast cancer again. 

I can't believe I am typing that. 

I can't believe this is happening again.

 

I am less frightened than last time.

The unknown isn't so unknown this time.

Well, still off the scale

but I know from experience that you can survive this.

I have a lot of decisions to make now.

 

I do know that I am determined to keep doing

the things I love to do this time.

And not let pieces of me slip away.

Then try to desparately recover them.

I will need to touch my rubber stamps.

And fondle the patterned paper.

 

I will try to post when I can.

Please know that I am thinking of all of you.

 

I have breast cancer again.

I can't believe I am typing that.

 

Hippity Hoppity!

I created an Easter card to send to my in-laws this year....mostly because they are really supportive of my card making endeavors and I hardly send them a handmade card.  I also wanted to try coloring with my brand new sets of Copics!  Wow, those markers are really addictive! 

Okay, so be kind....this is the first time I have tried shading and coloring with Copics.  I can see the blaring mistakes.  I hope to improve each time I use them.  I do know, though, that it makes me happy to color with them so I know I will try to do it often.  I used really old papers and embellishments from Doodlebug that I have had FOREVER! 

So all around this was a sickeningly jubilant experience. :)

 

 

Card Recipe:

 

Hippity Hoppity stamp by Shirley's 2 Girls

Pitch Black Adirondack ink

Cupcake Sprinkles cardstock, Daisy Doodles patterned paper,

     Cupcake w/White 3/8" gingham ribbon, and Cupcake glitter

     brad by Doodlebug Designs

Sweet & Pretty Pins by Fancy Pants Designs

B00 Frost Blue, BG01 Aqua Blue, C-1 Cool Gray No. 1,

     G07 Nile Green, RV10 Pale Pink, YG06 Yellowish Green,

     YR02 Light Orange, and YR07 Cadmium Orange

     Copic Markers

Swiss Dots embossing folder from Cuttlebug by Provo Craft

Other:  Dk. pink, turquoise and white cardstock; felt and

     silk flowers and leaves

With Deepest Sympathy

This is the card that I created to send off to my friend Julie for Baby Evan's family.  You can read about all of this in my post here.   The sentiment on the card is (because I know it might be a little small to read):  May prayer strengthen you and memories comfort you.  It is from a Crafty Secrets stamp set, and all of the sentiments in the set are as awesome as that one.

Again, I apologize for the grey-ish hues cast all over the card, but if you have watched any news lately you know Minnesota is just getting hammered with lousy weather.

 

Card Recipe:

Branch In Vase stamp by Impress Rubber Stamps

Card Sentiments stamp set from Clear Art Stamps by Crafty Secrets

Hint of Pesto and Sage chalk ink pads from VersaMagic by Tsukineko

Simple Scallop Edge Punch by Martha Stewart Crafts

Denium Pearls by Kaiser Scrapbook

Lt. blue and lt. green textured cardstock by Bazzill

Buttercream smooth cardstock by Taylored Expressions

Classic Scalloped Ovals, Large and Classic Ovals, Large Nestabilities dies by Spellbinders

B93 Light Crockery Blue Ciao marker by Copic

Periwinkle Elegant Organza 5/8-inch ribbon from Shades of Elegance by Horizon Fabrics

Spring Has Sprung!

Wow, spring is definitely coming!  The snow has been replaced by rain showers, and soon everything will be budding.  The air smells different.  I mostly love spring because I can change out the clothes in my closet, and put away the corduroys and heavy sweaters.  Pretty soon I can show off my legs, which are the color of the underside of a whale's belly and/or Casper The Friendly Ghost in capri pants.  I'll post a warning when I do that so the free world can don sunglasses to shield the glare.

Here's a quickie I made today:

 

I used some 5 year old KI Memories paper I have been hoarding.  The colors in it just make me happy, and I am thrilled to use up "old" stuff.  Also, excuse the dark photography....it is a grey, rainy day here in Minnesota, and the photos tend to look kind of grey, too.

Card Recipe:

 

Spring Fever stamp by Shirley's 2 Girls

Celadon and Heliotrope ColorBox Cat's Eye ink pads by Clearsnap

Clear Super Fine Detail embossing powder by Ranger

Starry Starry Night patterned paper by KI Memories

Cuttlebug Bloom Dots Embossing Folder by Provo Craft

Nestabilities Scalloped Square die by Spellbinders

Other:  Ivory, light green, light teal and lavender cardstock

           3/16-inch lavender gingham ribbon